Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

Joseph Tawadros | Solo Oud
2026-02-15 17:00 - 18:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350
The BMI has recently worked with Grimwade Conservation Services to perform urgently required conservation work on a number of significant items from the Heritage Victoria registered collection. This work was carried out as part of a Victorian Government Living Heritage Grant awarded in 2021, with work completed in December 2022. These items include original volumes of Australian plant specimen books compiled by Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, and associated books written by von Mueller, an original artwork known to have belonged to the BMI from the early days of the Institute and various other valuable books needing cleaning and restoration work. The primary exhibition will showcase these remarkable items within the Heritage listed building that is the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute. The proposed accompanying events will include creative programming to showcase this work, the wider BMI collection and the historic building and introduce or re-introduce the wider public to “their” Institute. Invitations will be extended to other special interest organisations to bring their members to learn why Ballarat was considered an important centre for learning and knowledge sharing, even in the 19th century.

Cost/Entry Fee: Free to BMI members | $5 for non-members

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View the full list of Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

Ballarat Heritage Festival | BMI

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Kadampa Meditation Series | A Fresh Start: Discover the Power of Meditation
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In Conversation with Paula McLean
2026-02-25 18:30 - 20:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Whispers of Shadows
2026-02-28 20:00 - 23:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Pub Cinemas Presents: 'In The Shadow of the Gallows' & short film 'Vendetta 19'
2026-03-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-04 19:00 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

In Conversation with Kate Mildenhall & Josh Pomare
2026-03-10 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | All We Imagine As Light
2026-03-12 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Artistanbul: Create your own Turkish Mosaic Lamp
2026-03-15 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-03 13:00 - 16:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Scottish Country Dance
2026-03-22 14:00 - 17:30 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

In Conversation with Chrissie Bellbrae
2026-03-24 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

'The Dog Logs', A Ballarat National Theatre Production
2026-04-10 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-11 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-12 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-18 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-19 14:00 - 15:30 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Brian Chapman & Friends: A Trio of Stunning Piano Quartets
2026-04-12 15:00 - 17:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Fiona Lowe
2026-04-21 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Film Society | Only The Animals
2026-04-23 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Teeny Tiny Stevies - Brain Fart Tour
2026-05-09 10:00 - 11:30 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | Black Dog
2026-05-14 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Victorian Occult Conference
2026-05-16 08:30 - 18:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | Monster
2026-06-11 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

21 HEARTS: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke, a THEATRE 180 production
2026-07-10 11:00 - 12:50, 2026-07-10 19:00 - 20:50 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350
